Positive behaviour support plans under the NDIS
A behaviour support plan (BSP) is a written plan from a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) behaviour support practitioner. It explains why a person's behaviours of concern happen and sets out practical ways to meet their needs, build skills and keep everyone safe. There are two types: a short interim plan and a detailed comprehensive plan. Any regulated restrictive practice must be clearly written into the plan.
What is a behaviour support plan for?
Its goal is a better quality of life for the person. It helps everyone who supports them understand their needs and respond in the same way.
Positive behaviour support (PBS) starts from the idea that behaviour has a purpose. It's often a way of communicating a need, like pain, hunger or wanting something to change. A good plan looks at those reasons first.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) describes three kinds of strategy: teaching the person new skills, making changes to their environment, and guiding their support team.
What's in a behaviour support plan?
A comprehensive plan covers why the behaviour happens, changes to the person's environment, new skills to learn, and what to do when a behaviour of concern happens. If restrictive practices are used, it also says how they'll be reduced and stopped.
- A clear description of each behaviour of concern, including how often it happens, how long it lasts and how intense it is
- What the behaviour does for the person, based on a functional behaviour assessment (FBA)
- Changes to the person's surroundings, like soft lighting or regular routines
- Skills to learn, such as a different way to show they're hungry or upset
- Steps for family and staff to follow when a behaviour of concern happens
- Any regulated restrictive practices, when they can be used, and the plan to reduce and stop them
Some plans include regulated restrictive practices. For these, the NDIS Rules also say the person must get chances to join community activities and learn new skills that could reduce the need for those practices.
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What's the difference between an interim and a comprehensive plan?
An interim plan is short and focuses on safety while the practitioner learns more. A comprehensive plan is the full plan, built on a behaviour support assessment that includes an FBA.
| Detail | Interim plan | Comprehensive plan |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A short plan with general strategies to keep the person and others safe | A detailed plan based on a behaviour support assessment, including an FBA |
| Main focus | Lowering risk while the assessment happens | Quality of life, skills, environment and lasting change |
| Deadline when regulated restrictive practices are involved | Within 1 month of the provider being engaged | Within 6 months of the provider being engaged |
| Restrictive practices | Says if, when and how any are used | Says when they're used and how they'll be reduced and stopped |
| How long it's used | Until the comprehensive plan is ready | Reviewed at least every 12 months, and sooner if things change |
Our page on interim behaviour support plans explains the 1 month rule in more detail.
How long does it take to get a behaviour support plan?
When regulated restrictive practices are involved, the law sets deadlines. The interim plan is due within 1 month and the comprehensive plan within 6 months of the specialist behaviour support provider being engaged.
A provider is engaged from the date of the service agreement, or from a later start date written into that agreement. If the practitioner changes but the provider stays the same, the time still counts from when the provider was engaged.
These deadlines are legal requirements only for plans with regulated restrictive practices. The NDIS Commission says providers should still use them as a guide for other plans.
Who writes a behaviour support plan, and who else is involved?
An NDIS behaviour support practitioner writes it, working for a specialist behaviour support provider registered with the NDIS Commission. They should work with the person, their family or guardian, and the providers who'll use the plan.
For plans with regulated restrictive practices, the Rules require this consultation. The practitioner must also explain any planned restrictive practice to the person and their family, carers or guardian in a format they can understand.
Plans without restrictive practices still have to be written by an NDIS behaviour support practitioner through a registered provider. They just don't have to be lodged with the NDIS Commission.
When does a behaviour support plan get reviewed?
Comprehensive plans with regulated restrictive practices must be reviewed at least every 12 months, and as soon as practicable if circumstances change. The Commission's May 2026 guidance says comprehensive plans should be reviewed at least every 12 months while in force.
A change in circumstances can be a move to a new home, a change of providers, or a pattern of restrictive practices being used without authorisation.
A review should look at what's working and what isn't, recent incident reports, the person's environment, and progress on reducing restrictive practices. Fixing typos or updating a medication dose doesn't count as a review.
If the reviewed plan still includes regulated restrictive practices, it must be lodged with the Commission again. The Commission generally sees two weeks from when the practitioner finalises the plan as a practicable timeframe.
How is a behaviour support plan funded?
From the capacity building part of an NDIS plan. Older plans list it under Improved Relationships. Plans made in the newer computer system used by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) have a separate Behaviour Support category.
The NDIA can fund assessments, interim and comprehensive plans, and training for the people who'll use the plan. The funding can only be used with a registered specialist behaviour support provider. If you need a practitioner to write or review a plan, we can connect you with a registered one.
Questions people ask
Is a positive behaviour support plan the same as a behaviour support plan?
Yes. The NDIS calls it a behaviour support plan. It's built on positive behaviour support, so people often use both names.
Does every behaviour support plan include restrictive practices?
No. A plan only includes a regulated restrictive practice when one is needed as a last resort to prevent harm. Plans without them don't need to be lodged with the NDIS Commission.
Do we get a copy of the plan?
You should, and it's fine to ask. For plans with restrictive practices, the NDIS Commission expects practitioners to give the person and their supporters the plan in a format they can understand.
Does the NDIA need a copy of the plan?
Yes. The NDIA's behaviour support guideline says you must give it a copy of any new behaviour support plan.
Can a behaviour support plan be changed?
Yes. The practitioner can review and update it when your needs change, for example after moving house or changing providers. Small fixes, like correcting typos, are recorded as an update and don't count as a full review.
Keep reading
- Interim behaviour support plansWhat an interim behaviour support plan is, when one is needed, the 1 month rule when restrictive practices are used, and what happens next under the NDIS.
- Functional behaviour assessmentWhat happens in a functional behaviour assessment (FBA) under the NDIS, who's involved, how information is gathered, and how it shapes a behaviour support plan.
- Restrictive practicesThe five regulated restrictive practices under the NDIS, when they can be used, how they're authorised (including in South Australia) and how they're reduced.
- Behaviour support practitionersWhat an NDIS behaviour support practitioner does, how the NDIS Commission approves them, how to check one and find one near you, and how to become one.
- How behaviour support is fundedHow positive behaviour support is funded by the NDIS: which budget it comes from, getting it into your plan, and what changes if you self, plan or NDIA manage.
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